Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

LOCAL PLAN 2040

Topic Paper 1: Brief Assessment of Settlement Strategy Options January 2020

Prepared by: Stuart Todd BA (Hons), Dip.TRP, MRTPI Director, Stuart Todd Associates Ltd. 26th September, 2019

Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

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Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

Contents

1. Introduction and Brief ...... 2 2. Method ...... 2 Assumptions and Caveats ...... 3 3. National Policy and Reasons for Consideration of Options ...... 4 4. Review of the Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan Settlement Strategies ...... 6 Snapshots of the Plans’ Settlement Context and Strategies ...... 6 Comparing Alignment of the Plans’ Strategic Objectives ...... 11 Comparing Settlement Hierarchies ...... 16 Bringing Settlement Hierarchies Together ...... 27 5. Settlement Strategy Alternatives ...... 31 Current Strategies’ Alternative Options Considered ...... 31 Possible Alternative Options for the Local Plan Review ...... 33 6. Comparing Options with the Local Plan Review Draft Objectives ...... 44 7. Considering Options Against Commitments ...... 47 Housing Completions and Commitments Data ...... 48 Infrastructure funding bids and commitments ...... 51 Somerset West and Taunton Council Corporate Strategy (September 2019) ...... 52 Observations ...... 53 8. Summary and Recommendations ...... 58 Appendix 1 - Brief ...... 62 Appendix 2 – New Local Plan Draft Objectives ...... 64 Appendix 3 –Population Estimates (based on 2017 Lower Super Output Areas) ...... 65 Appendix 4 – Notes and Observations which have helped to inform the Indicative Scores in Table 12 ...... 70

1 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

1. Introduction and Brief

1.1 To aid the development of a Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation document, the publication of which will signal the start of the review of both the Taunton Deane Adopted Core Strategy (and associated development plans1) and West Somerset Adopted Local Plan (together, the “Plans”), we have been asked by Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWTC) to assist in the production of a Topic Paper presenting reasonable alternatives (options) for the settlement strategy which can to be inserted into the Issues and Options document. The new Local Plan will cover the period to 2040. The Brief2 states that “The Topic Paper should: i) Summarise the existing “business as usual” strategies in the Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan and a brief ‘compare and contrast’ of the two strategies, including a brief summary of the key objectives that led to the adoption of these strategies; ii) Set out alternatives to these strategies (previous Sustainability Appraisal Reports have been provided for additional guidance) iii) Briefly assess whether the existing and alternative strategies are reasonable when considered against the Draft Local Plan Objectives; iv) Conclusion stating the reasonable alternatives (options) to be considered in the Options document for consultation

1.2 It is not expected for the Topic Paper to consider housing numbers that may be attributed to settlements in the strategies nor the availability of development sites/opportunities. This will form a separate piece of work at a later stage.” 2. Method

2.1 Our approach to the work, in line with the desired outputs in the Brief, is as follows:

i) Review and compare the Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan settlement strategies, summarising the key objectives which informed the preferred settlement strategies in each Plan. We will highlight any key differences and explore their compatibility / degree of alignment. ii) Using our knowledge of the settlements, Sustainability Appraisal reports for each adopted Plan and some basic factual data made available to us, we will identify a range of alternatives which can be reasonably consulted on. In order for the local authority to have meaningful and focused consultation, we have sought to keep the number of options explored in this report to a minimum, but without overly constraining a sensible range or breadth of spatial distribution alternatives. These alternatives are based on different spatial distributions by broad proportion (not number) which could deliver development over the longer new Local Plan period. The current adopted position in both Plans is the default

1 i.e. the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies development plan document, Taunton Area Action Plan development plan document and “saved” policies from previous Local Plan. 2 See Appendix 1 for the full Brief.

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position to start from given that it is the approved spatial strategy and represents “business as usual” for SWTC. A preferred strategy could be to alter course from the current settlement strategies adopted by the Core Strategy and Local Plan or could be to simply fine-tune and combine the existing Plans’ settlement strategies. Given the time available to respond to the Brief, providing outputs to feed in to the consultation timetable set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS)3, and a lack of up-to-date data to inform an assessment of the role and function of all settlements, this report provides options to consider which is the appropriate “direction of travel” for the spatial strategy in the Local Plan Review, which should be further informed by up-to-date evidence, further research and consultation. iii) We will briefly consider the suggested alternative and existing strategies against the new Local Plan’s draft objectives provided by SWTC officers (see Appendix 2). This will take the form of an assessment matrix with indicative traffic light markers which will show whether or not the option is positive, neutral or negative with regard to the draft objectives of the new Local Plan. This is a “light touch” assessment and while it can inform the sustainability appraisal being undertaken outside of this report, it is in no way designed to replace that very detailed (and rightly) challenging process. iv) We will summarise our findings and any recommendations we consider should be followed as reasonable next steps either to better inform the options in this report or following consultation on the Issues and Options document. 2.2 The work done for this report has been entirely desk-based, supplemented by our knowledge of the settlements.

2.3 The content of this report and Topic Paper content has been constrained by the time available to produce the report and we have agreed to work with officers at SWTC to arrive at a final report and set of options and conclusions, making best use of officers’ knowledge and expertise and our own. Assumptions and Caveats

2.4 In the absence of up-to-date data available at the current time about the role and function of settlements and the time available to produce this report, we have made a number of assumptions and identified some caveats which should be borne in mind when considering this report.

2.5 This report does not consider housing needs (across all types and tenures), the overall quantum of housing to be provided in the new Plan period, the overall quantum of employment space / land to be provided in the new Plan period, the detailed relationships and behaviours of housing market and travel to work / economic areas, or projected age profiles of population anticipated by the end of the Plan period. No up-to-date data has been made available about town centre and retail uses nor about community facilities and services. These issues and data, when available, can feed into the process of developing an appraisal of settlements’ roles and functions and further consideration of the appropriateness of positions in a hierarchy.

3 See Somerset West and Taunton Local Development Scheme

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3. National Policy and Reasons for Consideration of Options

3.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 4 is the policy starting point for the determination of where growth and change should happen in the local authority area. It sets out a clear approach to the delivery of sustainable development and spatial planning, the key driver of which are the three objectives (paragraph 8, see box) that are set out for the planning system. These drivers will play an important part in determining the spatial strategy and hierarchy of settlements in the Local Plan, made clear in paragraph 16 of the NPPF which requires local planning authorities to prepare Plans with these objectives in mind. The NPPF also requires an overall strategy for development to be developed for the Plan across land-uses, again, a clear driver for a structured approach to the spatial distribution and delivery of sustainable development (paragraph 20, see box over the page).

3.2 The plan-making process requires Local Plans to be scrutinised against 4 “tests of soundness” set out in the NPPF. One of these tests is for the Plan to be “justified” – i.e. have an appropriate strategy, considering the reasonable alternatives, and based on proportionate evidence. It is to inform a range of reasonable alternatives, which will be further scrutinised through the sustainability appraisal and consultation processes and informed by up-to-date evidence, that this paper has been prepared. It is also sensible and pragmatic to review and consider alternative spatial strategy options for the distribution of development given that delivery has taken place since adoption of the Plans. A further trigger for review are comments in the Inspector’s report into the West Somerset Local Plan, in which it is noted that the pathway that

4 See National Planning Policy Framework

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lead to the preferred option for the spatial strategy in the Plan was largely a continuation of the previous strategy determined in 2010 and set within the context of the then draft Regional Spatial Strategy, and even if appropriate against other options and supported by public consultation, was not revisited in light of updated planning policy advice or climate change allowances issued by the Environment Agency which should be take into account in strategic flood risk assessments during the Plan’s development5.

3.3 Other policies within the NPPF give further direction to what might be considered as “reasonable alternative” options for the spatial distribution of growth and factors which should be considered in justifying approaches. Paragraph 72 presents a number of factors and criteria which should be considered for locations where large-scale growth, such as urban extensions to existing villages and towns or new settlements, might best be located. A settlement’s role, function, infrastructure, size and location, as well as delivery rates of development, access to services and employment opportunities and constraining factors, are some of the things which will need to be considered when reasonable alternative options and a spatial strategy is considered. In rural areas, the NPPF advises that housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities. Planning policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where this will support local services. Where there are groups of smaller settlements, development in one village may support services in a village nearby” (paragraph 78).

3.4 The NPPF is also clear that planning policies “set out a clear economic vision and strategy which positively and proactively encourages sustainable economic growth” (paragraph 81a) and that local authorities, in the context of ensuring economic vitality and viability, define a network and hierarchy of town centres. While this is not the only element of evidence which would need to be developed to underpin options and choices for a hierarchy of settlements with regards to the distribution of growth across the local authority area, it is a significant element and driver for determining the appropriateness of a settlement’s position in the hierarchy.

5 See paragraphs 34 and 35, West Somerset Local Plan 2032 Inspector's Report

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4. Review of the Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan Settlement Strategies

4.1 The following extracts have been reproduced to provide a broad summary of context for the review of the settlement strategies.

Snapshots of the Plans’ Settlement Context and Strategies West Somerset Local Plan to 2032 (extracts)

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7 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

8 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Taunton Deane Core Strategy 2011-2028 (extracts)

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Comparing Alignment of the Plans’ Strategic Objectives

4.2 In order to start to understand the fit between the objectives adopted by each Plan and which underpin the preferred settlement hierarchy and spatial strategy, and to provide an indication of compatibility with the draft objectives for the new Plan, we have sought to compare and “match” objectives across the two adopted Plans and then with the draft objectives for the new Plan.

4.3 The objectives of the adopted Plans and the draft objectives for the Local Plan Review are set out below (emphasis added to set a marker for the focus of objective).

Table 1 – Adopted Plans and Draft Local Plan Review Objectives Somerset West and Taunton Local Plan Review Taunton Deane Core Strategy Objectives West Somerset Local Plan Objectives Draft Objectives  Strategic Objective 1 (Climate Change) Taunton Deane  Strengthening the roles and functions of Minehead as  Objective 1 - To ensure all new development works will be a leader in addressing the causes and impacts of the District’s main service centre, and Watchet and towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by 2030” climate change and adapting to its effects. Williton as secondary service centres. target  Strategic Objective 2 (Economy) To provide the right  Implementation of types and quantities of  Objective 2 - To provide a sufficient and varied supply conditions and sufficient land in appropriate locations development in locations appropriate to meet the of high quality and affordable homes to meet the to retain the Borough’s high levels of self-containment, requirements of the Strategy based on the evidence needs of all sections of our communities re-balance the local economy away from its public and engagement.  Objective 3 - To create a prosperous, resilient and sector dominance, promote the growth of the green  Increase self-containment within Minehead, Watchet entrepreneurial economy ensuring competitiveness knowledge economy and raise the overall quality of and Williton. across the wider sub-region and attracting the most jobs through related strategies, enabling Taunton and  Successfully managing flood risk in implementing new talented workers to the District the rest of the Borough to fulfil its true economic development at Minehead Watchet and Williton.  Objective 4 - To achieve a major change in travel potential.  Make a step change in the provision of affordable behaviour towards walking, cycling and public  Strategic Objective 3 (Town and other Centres): To housing to meet identified local needs. transport and to reduce the need to travel enhance the role and function of Taunton town centre  Make a significant reduction in CO2 emissions for the  Objective 5 - To protect and enhance the in the regional hierarchy through the promotion of Local Plan area. environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing value regeneration opportunities, and direct development  Create an aspirational, enterprising and of the District’s distinctive landscapes biodiversity and opportunities of an appropriate scale for retail, leisure, entrepreneurial culture within West Somerset. local character. cultural, sporting, office and other town centre  Develop the quality of the tourism offer within the  Objective 6 - To enhance the role of Taunton town activities to a hierarchy of centres within the Borough, Local Plan area. centre in the sub-region and to strengthen the providing foci for employment provision and extending  Protect and enhance biodiversity in the Local Plan function, vitality and self-containment of all our towns consumer choice to meet the needs of the entire area.  Objective 7 - To boost tourism, economic development, community, in sustainable locations, well served by a  Conserve and enhance the character of historic agricultural transformation and deliver more affordable choice of means of transport. settlements, buildings and landscapes. homes in our rural and coastal communities  Strategic Objective 4 (Housing) To provide a sufficient  Deliver high quality design in new development which supply of high-quality housing accommodation to meet will contribute to the area’s heritage in a positive way.

11 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Somerset West and Taunton Local Plan Review Taunton Deane Core Strategy Objectives West Somerset Local Plan Objectives Draft Objectives the needs of all sections of the community and  Objective 8 - To improve wellbeing, inclusivity and a strategic housing requirements. reduction in inequalities enabling independence and  Strategic Objective 5 (Inclusive Communities) To facilitating social interaction reduce inequalities and deliver more prosperous,  Objective 9 - To ensure that new development is cohesive communities. supported by essential infrastructure in a timely  Strategic Objective 6 (Accessibility) To improve manner accessibility between homes, jobs and services and (note: numbering and ordering of objectives in the Local achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards Plan Issues and options has been amended since this section walking, cycling and public transport. was drafted)  Strategic Objective 7 (Infrastructure) To ensure that development provides or contributes to the on- and off-site infrastructure that is necessary for the development to proceed and to mitigate impact on existing communities and the environment.  Strategic Objective 8 (Environment) To maintain and enhance biodiversity, the natural and man-made environment, minimising the need to travel, waste, pollution and the use of non-renewable resources and to promote good design and materials which respect and enhance local distinctiveness.

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4.4 The matrix below sets out the Taunton Deane Core Strategy against the West Somerset Local Plan objectives.

Table 2 – Comparing Taunton Deane Core Strategy with West Somerset Local Plan Objectives

affordable West Somerset aspirational, types and housing to high roles and self- CO2 enterprising and Local Plan quantities of flood risk meet tourism biodiversity character quality functions containment emissions entrepreneurial development identified design culture Taunton Deane local needs Core Strategy Climate Change     Economy     Town and other Centres     Housing    Inclusive Communities   Accessibility    Infrastructure       Environment      

4.5 We make the following observations when considering the table above:

i) While some objectives overlap and / or are cross-cutting, the matrix shows a reasonable match across objectives between Plans and no obvious gaps between the two. ii) The basic principles and direction of travel of the objectives are consistent, responding positively to the aims of sustainable development, but with a noticeable focus for the Core Strategy and Local Plan Review draft objectives on Taunton and its role as a major town with a sub-regional role and function. iii) The obvious general observation to make is the differing styles between the West Somerset Local Plan objectives and the Core Strategy objectives with the former’s being more concise and the Latter’s being more expansive. The style of the latter is carried forward into the Local Plan Review draft objectives. iv) A key noticeable difference between the Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan objectives is the former’s cross-cutting objective 5 which focuses on inclusive communities. The Local Plan’s objectives may well achieve this but across a range of its objectives with the Core Strategy’s

13 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 objective 5 being a desired outcome for the West Somerset Local Plan, rather than a discreet objective. The West Somerset Local Plan’s objectives appear concisely focused on land-use objectives. v) Both the Core Strategy and Local Plan Review objectives (considered below against the current Plans’ objectives) adopt a style which seems to combine traditional “aims” (i.e. “to” achieve something, or a goal) with traditional “objectives” (i.e. how those aims will be achieved). This results in them being wide-ranging capturing many objectives within one.

4.6 The second matrix below compares the adopted Plans’ objectives with the Local Plan Review’s draft objectives.

Table 3 – Comparing the Adopted Plans’ Objectives with the Local Plan Review Draft Objectives

7. Local Plan Review tourism, 9. 6. Draft Objectives economic 8. new enhance the role 3. 5. development, improving development is 1. 4. of Taunton town 2. prosperous, protecting and agricultural wellbeing, supported by carbon Achieve a major centre and high quality resilient and enhancing the transformation inclusivity and a essential neutrality by change in travel strengthen homes entrepreneurial natural and built more affordable reduction in transport, 2030 behaviour function, vitality Taunton Deane economy environment housing in inequalities utilities, social & self-vitality of Core Strategy rural and and green our towns and coastal infrastructure West Somerset communities Local Plan

Climate Change   CO2 emissions    flood risk  Economy    aspirational, enterprising and entrepreneurial culture    tourism   Town and other Centres    roles and functions    self-containment    

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7. Local Plan Review tourism, 9. 6. Draft Objectives economic 8. new enhance the role 3. 5. development, improving development is 1. 4. of Taunton town 2. prosperous, protecting and agricultural wellbeing, supported by carbon Achieve a major centre and high quality resilient and enhancing the transformation inclusivity and a essential neutrality by change in travel strengthen homes entrepreneurial natural and built more affordable reduction in transport, Taunton Deane 2030 behaviour function, vitality economy environment housing in inequalities utilities, social & self-vitality of Core Strategy rural and and green our towns and coastal infrastructure West Somerset communities Local Plan

types and quantities of development    Housing   affordable housing to meet identified local needs  Inclusive Communities    Accessibility   Infrastructure  Environment  biodiversity  character   high quality design  

15 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 4.7 While the comparison also suggests that some objectives overlap and / or are cross-cutting, the matrix above also shows a reasonable match across objectives between adopted Plans and the draft objectives from the Local Plan Review with no obvious gaps between the two.

Comparing Settlement Hierarchies

West Somerset Local Plan to 2032 (extracts)

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Taunton Deane Core Strategy 2011-2028 (extracts)

18 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 4.8 Summarised, the tiers / settlement hierarchy is as follows. We have added the most up-to-date population figures for the larger settlements as part of the table (source: ONS mid-year 2017 estimates at lower super output area supplied by Somerset West and Taunton Council). These are not available for smaller settlements at the time of drafting this report as the settlements with no figures in the table below have lower super output areas which extend across more than one settlement.

4.9 While a settlement hierarchy is more nuanced than basing its position purely on population size (for example, as important are factors such as its role, function, constraints, distance to other settlements with a greater number of facilities and services, accessibility, employment / economy, housing market, services and facilities), it provides a useful starting point / indicator to help compare the two hierarchies from the Plans.

Table 4 – Taunton Deane Core Strategy Settlement Hierarchy

Net additional new Population Settlement housing nos. estimates of Settlement Description (abridged) Category proposed (per larger settlement) settlements* Strategic focus for growth and focal point for new development Strategic Focus Taunton (includes Taunton urban area, Bathpool, 13,000 c.69,400 for Growth Bishops Hull, Monkton Heathfield, Norton Fitzwarren, Staplegrove, Staplehay and Trull) Secondary Focus Secondary focus for growth as market town Wellington 2,500 c.15,300 for Growth with wider rural hinterland Major Rural Bishops Lydeard Focus for essential facilities within rural 200 c.3,000 Centres Wiveliscombe communities 200 c.1,600 Cotford St Luke 50+ c.2,300 Small scale allocations, sites within Creech St Michael 50+ Minor Rural development boundary and sites outside Milverton 50+ Centres development boundary meeting exceptions North Curry 50+ sites criteria Churchinford 50+

19 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Net additional new Population Settlement housing nos. estimates of Settlement Description (abridged) Category proposed (per larger settlement) settlements* Ashbrittle Fitzhead Nynehead Ash Priors Halse Oake Bishopswood Hatch Pitminster Blagdon Hill Beauchamp Ruishton Bradford-on- Henlade Sampford Settlement boundaries but with no allocations Villages Tone Kingston St Arundel in local authority development plan but some c.10-20** Burrowbridge Mary Stoke St Gregory scope for small scale proposals within boundary Cheddon Langford Stoke St Mary Fitzpaine Budville West Bagborough Combe Florey Lydeard St West Buckland Corfe Lawrence West Monkton Notes: * figures rounded down to nearest hundred - estimate based on mid-year population estimates at Lower Super Output Area 2017. ** There is no figure in the Core Strategy – it refers to “small scale” – our figure is simply an indication.

Table 5 – West Somerset Local Plan Settlement Hierarchy Population Settlement Net additional new housing nos. proposed (per estimates of Settlement Description (abridged) Category settlement) larger settlements* c.1,190 Main Centre Minehead / Alcombe (760 on strategic sites, 50% of total windfall (430) c.12,000 1. New development across Minehead, Watchet and Williton) concentrated in these c.515 Watchet locations at a scale (300 on strategic sites, 25% of total windfall (215) c.3,800 Rural Service proportionate to role across Minehead, Watchet and Williton) Centres and function c.635 Williton (420 on strategic sites, 25% of total windfall (215) c.2,700 across Minehead, Watchet and Williton) Bicknoller Carhampton Primary Villages Crowcombe 2. Limited development See notes **

Kilve

20 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Population Settlement Net additional new housing nos. proposed (per estimates of Settlement Description (abridged) Category settlement) larger settlements* Stogumber Stogursey

West Quantoxhead

Washford Holford Dunster Marsh Secondary 3. Small scale Brompton Ralph See notes *** Villages development Battleton Brushford Notes: * figures rounded down to nearest hundred - estimate based on mid-year population estimates at Lower Super Output Area 2017. ** “limited development” means individual schemes of up to ten dwellings providing about a 10% increase in a settlement’s total dwelling number during the Local Plan period, limited to about 30% of this increase in any five-year period. This amounts to around 160 dwellings based on dwelling numbers at the start of the plan period according to the Local Plan (p.25). The West Somerset Local Plan suggests that at least 80% of development will be at Minehead, Watchet and Williton, and with around 8% total being provided at the Primary and Secondary Villages, this leaves around 12% of the total (348 dwellings) which will need to come forward across the plan period, most likely across Minehead, Watchet and Williton. *** individual schemes of up to five dwellings providing about a 10% increase in a settlement’s total dwelling number during the Local Plan period, limited to about 30% of this increase in any five-year period. This amounts to around 50 dwellings based on dwelling numbers at the start of the plan period according to the Local Plan (p.25). The West Somerset Local Plan suggests that at least 80% of development will be at Minehead, Watchet and Williton, and with around 8% total being provided at the Primary and Secondary Villages, this leaves around 12% of the total (348 dwellings) which will need to come forward across the plan period, most likely across Minehead, Watchet and Williton.

4.10 The hierarchies, combined into a single list, looks as follows.

Table 6 – Combined Settlement Hierarchies (Composite)

Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan (Combined List)

Settlement Net additional new housing nos. Settlement Description from adopted Plan (abridged) Plan (source) Category proposed (per settlement) Strategic focus for growth and focal point for new development Strategic Focus Taunton Deane Taunton (includes Taunton urban area, Bathpool, 13,000 for Growth Core Strategy Bishops Hull, Monkton Heathfield, Norton Fitzwarren, Staplegrove, Staplehay and Trull) 21 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan (Combined List)

Settlement Net additional new housing nos. Settlement Description from adopted Plan (abridged) Plan (source) Category proposed (per settlement) Secondary Focus Secondary focus for growth as market town Taunton Deane Wellington 2,500 for Growth with wider rural hinterland Core Strategy c.1,190 (760 on strategic sites, 50% of total Main Centre Minehead / Alcombe windfall (430) across Minehead, Watchet and Williton) c.515 New development concentrated in these (300 on strategic sites, 25% of total West Somerset Watchet locations at a scale proportionate to role and windfall (215) across Minehead, Local Plan function Rural Service Watchet and Williton) Centres c.635 (420 on strategic sites, 25% of total Williton windfall (215) across Minehead, Watchet and Williton) Major Rural Bishops Lydeard Focus for essential facilities within rural 200 Taunton Deane Centres Wiveliscombe communities 200 Core Strategy Cotford St Luke 50+ Small scale allocations, sites within Creech St Michael 50+ Minor Rural development boundary and sites outside Taunton Deane Milverton 50+ Centres development boundary meeting exceptions Core Strategy North Curry 50+ sites criteria Churchinford 50+

Bicknoller Stogumber Carhampton Stogursey West Somerset Primary Villages Limited development See notes * Crowcombe Washford Local Plan Kilve West Quantoxhead

22 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan (Combined List)

Settlement Net additional new housing nos. Settlement Description from adopted Plan (abridged) Plan (source) Category proposed (per settlement)

Ashbrittle Fitzhead Nynehead Ash Priors Halse Oake Bishopswood Hatch Pitminster Blagdon Hill Beauchamp Ruishton Settlement boundaries but with no allocations Bradford-on- Henlade Sampford in local authority development plan but some Taunton Deane Villages Tone Kingston St Arundel c.10-20 ** scope for small scale proposals within Core Strategy Burrowbridge Mary Stoke St Gregory boundary Cheddon Langford Stoke St Mary Fitzpaine Budville West Bagborough Combe Florey Lydeard St West Buckland Corfe Lawrence West Monkton Holford Dunster Marsh Secondary West Somerset Brompton Ralph Small scale development See notes *** Villages Local Plan Battleton Brushford Notes: * “limited development” means individual schemes of up to ten dwellings providing about a 10% increase in a settlement’s total dwelling number during the Local Plan period, limited to about 30% of this increase in any five year period. This amounts to around 160 dwellings based on dwelling numbers at the start of the plan period according to the Local Plan (p.25). The West Somerset Local Plan suggests that at least 80% of development will be at Minehead, Watchet and Williton, and with around 8% total being provided at the Primary and Secondary Villages, this leaves around 12% of the total (348 dwellings) which will need to come forward across the plan period, most likely across Minehead, Watchet and Williton. ** There is no figure in the Core Strategy – it refers to “small scale” – our figure is simply an indication. *** individual schemes of up to five dwellings providing about a 10% increase in a settlement’s total dwelling number during the Local Plan period, limited to about 30% of this increase in any five-year period. This amounts to around 50 dwellings based on dwelling numbers at the start of the plan period according to the Local Plan (p.25). The West Somerset Local Plan suggests that at least 80% of development will be at Minehead, Watchet and Williton, and with around 8% total being provided at the Primary and Secondary Villages, this leaves around 12% of the total (348 dwellings) which will need to come forward across the plan period, most likely across Minehead, Watchet and Williton.

4.11 Translating the hierarchies to a composite map, the current strategy across the new SWTC area is as follows. This map is illustrative. Symbols are not proportionate to the scale of development set out for the settlements in the Core Strategy and Local Plan but simply provide an indication of differences and positions in the hierarchies. Neither do the symbols represent the extent of a settlement’s boundaries or of development allocated or scale proposed in the adopted Plans. Please note that Exmoor National Park is the local planning authority for the area within its boundary (shaded green), hence why the settlement hierarchy’s geographical extent is only within the local planning authority area in SWTC.

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Map 1: Composite Illustrative Settlement Hierarchies from Adopted Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan

Notes: Map created by Stuart Todd Associates Ltd. The Villages category in the Core Strategy has been associated with the Secondary Village category in the West Somerset Local Plan. However, for the purposes of the Local Plan Review, further work should be done to best determine where within the hierarchy the Primary Villages, Villages and Secondary Villages fit.

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4.12 As already identified, in the absence of a figure for an overall quantum of development for the new Local Plan Review, this report considers proportions of change and variance from the current strategies for options to be developed. The table below sets out the proportions of development for each of the current strategies to help contextualise the options to be developed.

Table 7 – Proportions of Proposed Development for Settlements in the Adopted Plans

Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan (Combined List)

% of total development identified in the relevant adopted Plan Net additional new housing nos. proposed (per Settlement Category Settlement settlement) West Somerset Taunton Deane Local Plan Core Strategy (see notes+)

Strategic Focus for Growth Taunton 13,000 76% -

Secondary Focus for Growth Wellington 2,500 15% - c.1,190 Main Centre Minehead / Alcombe (760 on strategic sites, 50% of total windfall (430) - 41% across Minehead, Watchet and Williton) c.515 Watchet (300 on strategic sites, 25% of total windfall (215) - 18% across Minehead, Watchet and Williton) Rural Service Centres c.635 Williton (420 on strategic sites, 25% of total windfall (215) - 22% across Minehead, Watchet and Williton) Bishops Lydeard 200 1% - Major Rural Centres Wiveliscombe 200 1% - Cotford St Luke 50+ <1% - Creech St Michael 50+ <1% - Minor Rural Centres Milverton 50+ <1% - North Curry 50+ <1% - Churchinford 50+ <1% -

25 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan (Combined List)

% of total development identified in the relevant adopted Plan Net additional new housing nos. proposed (per Settlement Category Settlement settlement) West Somerset Taunton Deane Local Plan Core Strategy (see notes+)

Bicknoller Stogumber Carhampton Stogursey Primary Villages See notes * - c.6% Crowcombe Washford Kilve West Quantoxhead

Nynehead Fitzhead Ashbrittle Oake Halse Ash Priors Pitminster Hatch Bishopswood Ruishton Beaucham Blagdon Hill Sampford p Bradford-on- Arundel c.3% Henlade Villages Tone Stoke St c.10-20 ** (c.0.1% per - Kingston St Burrowbridge Gregory settlement) Mary Cheddon Stoke St Mary Langford Fitzpaine West Budville Combe Florey Bagborough Lydeard St Corfe West Buckland Lawrence West Monkton Holford - Dunster Marsh - Secondary Villages Brompton Ralph See notes *** - c.2% Battleton - Brushford - Notes: + The West Somerset Local Plan suggests that at least 80% of development will be at Minehead, Watchet and Williton, and with around 8% total being provided at the Primary and Secondary Villages, this leaves around 12% of the total (348 dwellings) which will need to come forward across the plan period, most likely across Minehead, Watchet and Williton. * “limited development” means individual schemes of up to ten dwellings providing about a 10% increase in a settlement’s total dwelling number during the Local Plan period, limited to about 30% of this increase in any five-year period. This amounts to around 160 dwellings based on dwelling numbers at the start of the plan period according to the Local Plan (p.25). The West Somerset Local Plan suggests that at least 80% of development will be at Minehead, Watchet and Williton, and with around 8% total being provided at the Primary and Secondary Villages, this leaves around 12% of the total (348 dwellings) which will need to come forward across the plan period, most likely across Minehead, Watchet and Williton. ** There is no figure in the Core Strategy – it refers to “small scale” – our figure is simply an indication. *** individual schemes of up to five dwellings providing about a 10% increase in a settlement’s total dwelling number during the Local Plan period, limited to about 30% of this increase in any five-year period. This amounts to around 50 dwellings based on dwelling numbers at the start of the plan period according to the Local Plan (p.25). The West Somerset Local Plan suggests that at least 80% of development will be at Minehead, Watchet and Williton, and with around 8% total being provided at the Primary and Secondary Villages, this leaves around 12% of the total (348 dwellings) which will need to come forward across the plan period, most likely across Minehead, Watchet and Williton.

26 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

Bringing Settlement Hierarchies Together

4.13 Rationalising the two hierarchies into one which reflects the described role and function and population sizes of the settlements and resultant allocations or levels of development proposed in the settlements, a combined but continued strategy basis for the current hierarchies could look as set out in Table 7 overleaf. It is important to note that the settlements’ position in the hierarchy is a suggestion, as is the name of the category and description of the category. The suggested amalgamated hierarchy is based purely on the current position in the two adopted Plan’s hierarchies and not, as explained earlier in this report, an up-to-date comparison of role, function or suitability for a new scale of development during the Local Plan Review period (the scale of which we have not been provided with to inform this report) nor adjustments which may need to be made to positions in the hierarchy since adoption of the Plans given the completions delivered at the settlements. Some tiers in the existing adopted Plans are not directly comparable or mean the same thing, particularly where proposed scales of appropriate housing are not expressed definitively by a number. In other words, Table 7 is illustrative only.

4.14 There are many variables and factors which would need to be explored further to ensure that settlements are positioned in the right category within a hierarchy, including the following:

i) For smaller settlements, their position in the hierarchy could also be dictated by the completions delivered since adoption of the Plan and an understanding of housing needs across tenures. ii) Some settlements within the West Somerset Local Plan which have been categorised as “Minor Rural Centres” may be better placed in the “Villages” category if their role and function is very different from others in the category. iii) Relative position within the hierarchy could also depend on the spatial strategy being followed. iv) Inclusion of a settlement within a category does not mean that the scale of new development would be the same as other settlements in the same category. v) Some tiers could indicate a range of dwelling numbers with allocations being more prescriptive about numbers specific to settlement within hierarchy. vi) Indicating a proportionate increase of dwelling numbers in smaller settlements in relation to settlement size may not give sufficient certainty to the planning system for the spatial strategy overall to be considered robust. vii) An up-to-date understanding of the role and function, planning constraints, dwelling numbers (including completions since adoption) and the population of settlements can better inform a hierarchy going forward. This should be the first task when clarifying a hierarchy, with spatial distribution of housing numbers (i.e. the appropriate strategy in the new Local Plan) being a response to this hierarchy, overall housing numbers required, and the role, function, constraints and opportunity at settlements. It is important to note that the current strategy and associated allocations should not be a driver for determining a preferred hierarchy, although completions of new development will need to be a factor.

27 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

Table 8 – Possible Amalgamated Settlement Hierarchy

Possible Settlement Settlement Possible Description (to be determined) Category Strategic focus for growth and focal point for new development Strategic Growth Taunton (includes Taunton urban area, Bathpool, Bishops Hull, Monkton Heathfield, Garden Town Norton Fitzwarren, Staplegrove, Staplehay and Trull) Sub-strategic focus for new development proportionate to role and function as Sub-strategic Town Wellington a medium sized town with a wider rural hinterland and good transport links Coastal Town (Major Major rural centre with focus for new development proportionate to role and Minehead / Alcombe Rural Centre) function as a medium sized town with a wider rural hinterland Watchet Bishops Lydeard Rural Centres Focus for essential facilities within rural communities Williton Wiveliscombe North Curry Bicknoller Creech St Michael Small scale local authority development plan or Neighbourhood Plan Stogumber Carhampton Crowcombe allocations or windfall sites within the development boundary and sites outside Minor Rural Centres Stogursey Churchinford Kilve development boundary meeting exceptions sites criteria, appropriate to the West Quantoxhead Cotford St Luke Milverton settlement’s size, role and function Washford Ashbrittle Corfe Nynehead Ash Priors Dunster Marsh Oake Battleton Fitzhead Pitminster Bishopswood Halse Ruishton Blagdon Hill Hatch Beauchamp Settlements which may or may not have settlement boundaries with no Sampford Arundel Villages Bradford-on-Tone Henlade allocations in local authority development plan, but some scope for small scale Stoke St Gregory Brompton Ralph Holford proposals Stoke St Mary Brushford Kingston St Mary West Bagborough Burrowbridge Langford Budville West Buckland Cheddon Fitzpaine Lydeard St West Monkton Combe Florey Lawrence

28 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Map 2: Composite Illustrative Settlement Hierarchies from Adopted Core Strategy and Local Plan (Merged to Single Hierarchy)

Key Notes: Map created by Stuart Todd Associates Ltd.

Coastal Town Strategic Growth Minor Rural (Major Rural Garden Town Centres Centre)

Sub-strategic Town Rural Centres Villages

29 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 4.15 This illustrative hierarchy requires further evidence-based research in order to confirm with any certainty what tiers are appropriate and which settlements fit within those tiers. It is suggested that this should include an understanding of factors such as:

 Up-to-date population and household estimates and projections;  A scale of new dwellings required in the new Local Plan review period to 2040;  Housing delivery rates, completion data and other housing market assessment data;  Up-to-date housing needs assessment / objective assessment of need;  Up-to-date strategic housing land availability (land supply) data;  Travel time to next tier of settlement for residents to access a greater / higher level of services and facilities;  Carbon and other emissions arising from transport;  Retail offer and vacancy rates;  Employment land and premises (economic) offer;  Travel-to-work areas / functional economic areas;  Infrastructure (transport accessibility and connectivity);  Public transport services;  Sports, leisure and recreation services and facilities;  Education offer;  Green infrastructure network;  Arts and cultural offer;  Health services and facilities available;  Environmental protections, opportunities and constraints; and,  Heritage assets and historic environment. 4.16 These factors could be considered drawing from evidence base reports and studies undertaken for the Local Plan Review and set out in a Role and Function Study to provide a hierarchy with more clarity.

30 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

5. Settlement Strategy Alternatives

5.1 The current adopted settlement hierarchies and strategy approach in each Plan were selected as the preferred approach for each through a process of considering reasonable alternative options, the evidence base for each, a sustainability appraisal of the options and consultation responses. These options, considered as the Plans were developed, are summarised as follows. Current Strategies’ Alternative Options Considered

Table 9 – Adopted Plans’ Alternative Options

West Somerset Local Plan Reasonable Alternative Taunton Deane Core Strategy Reasonable Alternative Options (paraphrased) Options

Taunton Options Rural Area Options Strategy option 1 Concentrate new development at three main Option 1 Option 1 settlements No Core Strategy nor further spatial direction to No Core Strategy nor further spatial direction to the Strategy option 2 the distribution of strategic development distribution of strategic development Concentrate new development at four main Option 2 Option 2 settlements – including the upgrading of Stogursey to This would see the Core Strategy making provision This would see the Core Strategy make provision for new a ‘Policy C’ (or Local Service centre) settlement for new housing in accordance with the Draft housing in accordance with the Draft Revised Regional Strategy option 3 Revised Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South West as published in Dispersal of development including allocations at the South West as published in June 2006. The Draft June 2006. The Draft RSS envisaged a split between new larger villages. Revised RSS identified a strategic housing housing at the Wellington Urban Area: 1,800 new requirement of 14,000 for Taunton. Some 11,000 dwellings and the remainder of the Borough: 1,500 new new houses would be found within the urban area dwellings. This equated to a roughly 55 / 45 split in favour Excluded Options with a further 3,000 to the north of the town. of Wellington with regards to new housing in rural areas. The Council also set out three excluded options. Option 3 Option 3 These options were excluded because the Council The Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes to the The Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes to the Revised considered that they would clearly fail to satisfy the Revised RSS were published in July 2008 and RSS made an uplift in the housing requirement for the relevant sustainability objectives. In order to check proposed a significant uplift to housing provision rural areas from 3,300 to 3,800. Whilst the emerging RSS that conclusion is correct these options were tested requirements for Taunton Deane as a whole but moves specific reference to Wellington, as a market town by the SA team. These excluded options were: particularly at Taunton and Category B settlement there is justification for Excluded option 1 Option 4 apportioning the majority of the uplift to the town.

31 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 West Somerset Local Plan Reasonable Alternative Taunton Deane Core Strategy Reasonable Alternative Options (paraphrased) Options This option involved the testing of a large scale Option 4 A strategy involving less development at the larger strategic urban extension to the east of the M5 The removal of the explicit distinction between settlements and a much wider degree of dispersal of motorway. Wellington and the remaining rural areas within the development including the smaller settlements Option 5 Proposed Changes to the Revised RSS means that there (including those with few or no facilities). This option tested ‘lesser impact on the was some scope for considering maximising the potential Excluded option 2 Hestercombe House Special Area of Conservation for new housing development in Wellington and reducing A strategy involving no significant development at European site’. Under this option, three of the that which needs to be accommodated elsewhere. Minehead, with substantial development being more sensitive potential allocations to the north of Option 5 focused elsewhere in the District closer to the M5 the town at Staplegrove, Priorswood and Hartnells This option would seek to focus development on the corridor. would not be developed. The resulting shortfall settlements of Wellington, Wiveliscombe, Cotford St Luke Excluded option 3 would need to be met to the east of the M5. and Bishops Lydeard and is similar to option 4. The A strategy involving the concentration of the bulk of Option 6 distinction and critical difference is that Wellington would the housing requirement in a single eco-village / new If for any reason any of the proposed strategic sites not seek to maximise potential to such a degree and its settlement. prove to be undeliverable, the Council needed a development would be capped at around 1,875. contingency. Release of land at Comeytrowe was Option 6 the contingency that was tested. Reflecting its Category B settlement status, Wellington would still reasonably be expected to accommodate the majority of the rural areas’ requirement. The remainder would be ‘shared’ probably more evenly across the smaller towns and villages. Summary Summary For Taunton: Option 3 was chosen as the preferred option. It was considered to deliver many sustainability Option 1 was selected as the preferred option for the benefits principally because of the focus of a significant proportion of the growth is placed upon sustainable, adopted Local Plan. This represented a continuation mixed-use urban extensions to the north and south of the town. of the previous spatial strategy for the district. For rural areas: Option 3 was chosen as the preferred option. It seeks to reinforce and develop the role of Wellington as a market town whilst at the same time providing an opportunity for sustainable rural settlements to accommodate a proportion of growth (which will help to sustain local services and facilities). A more dispersed approach or sharing development more evenly across rural areas would result in less sustainable travel patterns and increased reliance on the private car Notes: all extracts based on text in respective Sustainability Appraisals for the Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan

32 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

Possible Alternative Options for the Local Plan Review

5.2 We have determined the following options which could be considered. These options are in no way prioritised as one preferred option over another, nor are they intended to be an exhaustive list of options. There will be many variations of each option and we have attempted to keep the options reasonably different from each other. As a reminder, intentionally, none of these options identify a quantum of development for settlements, a factor being considered outside of this piece of work. While options A and H are extremes which do not fit well with a plan-led, evidence based, approach to delivery of sustainable development, they should be tested, even if they are to be discounted or excluded at a later stage. Each option has a symbol which indicates the direction of change, or not, from the current scale of development identified in each adopted Plan (represented by option B). In the absence of any up-to-date evidence on the role and function of settlements which could confirm a settlement hierarchy, the current strategy has to form the baseline from which change is indicated / measured and options identified. The symbols represent an increase (), decrease (), no change or minor change up or down (), or an unknown level of change (?).

33 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Table 10 – Possible Alternative Options for Local Plan Review Consultation Change in levels of growth (housing development) relative to current strategies Increase  / Decrease  / No change or minor change up or down  / Unknown ? Strategic Option Strategy Direction Sub-strategic Major Rural Growth Minor Rural Town Centre Rural Centres Villages Garden Town Centres (Wellington) (Minehead) (Taunton) No Strategy A ? ? ? ? ? ? No development plan strategy (market led). Current Strategies B       Existing proportions of development. Re-alignment outside Taunton Re-alignment of settlement proportions outside C Taunton. Increase at Wellington, Minehead, Watchet,       Williton, Wiveliscombe and Bishops Lydeard, lower levels of development elsewhere. Garden Town Uplift, Minor Centres Reduction Increase at Taunton, broadly the same or less as D       current at other tiers and villages but less at Minor Rural Centres. Enhanced Garden Town and Sub-strategic Town E Increased development at Taunton and Wellington       and less in Minehead and at Rural Centres. Enhanced Sub-strategic Town and Middle Tiers Role F Less development at Taunton and more at Wellington,       Minehead and Rural Centres with same elsewhere. Rural Areas Lead for Growth G Less development at Taunton and Wellington with       more elsewhere. Dispersal H Less development at Taunton, Wellington and       Minehead and more elsewhere.

34 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 5.3 These options are set out (illustratively) on the maps below, apart from the “non-strategy” option (A). Across some options, the settlement description would need to change to better reflect the role, function and scale of new development. Such changes are not proposed in this report but the maps which follow do provide an indication, albeit illustratively, of relative changes in the hierarchy.

Map 3 - Option B - Current Strategies

Notes: Map created by Stuart Todd Associates Ltd.

35 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Map 4 - Option C - Re-alignment outside Taunton

Notes: Map created by Stuart Todd Associates Ltd.

36 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Map 5 - Option D - Garden Town Uplift, Minor Centres Reduction

Notes: Map created by Stuart Todd Associates Ltd.

37 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Map 6 - Option E - Enhanced Garden Town and Sub-strategic Town

Notes: Map created by Stuart Todd Associates Ltd.

38 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Map 7 - Option F - Enhanced Sub-strategic Town and Middle Tiers Role

Notes: Map created by Stuart Todd Associates Ltd.

39 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Map 8 - Option G - Rural Areas Lead for Growth

Notes: Map created by Stuart Todd Associates Ltd.

40 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Map 9 - Option H - Dispersal

Notes: Map created by Stuart Todd Associates Ltd.

41 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 5.4 The options previously tested can be set alongside the options we have identified to help understand which of options A-H could be carried forward to consultation and further, more detailed, analysis of what a preferred strategy and hierarchy could look like. The table below identifies the closest match(es) between the options suggested in this report and the options tested in the adopted Plans’ SA process. This does not mean that comparable matches are an exact match but indicates where there is reasonable similarity.

Table 11 – Comparing Adopted Plans’ Sustainability Appraisal Options with Local Plan Review Possible Options

Options A B C D E F G H Garden Enhanced Enhanced Re- Town Garden Sub- Rural No Current alignment Uplift, Town & strategic Areas Dispersal Sustainability Appraisal Options considered for adopted Strategy Strategies outside Minor Sub- Town & Lead for Core Strategy and Local Plan Taunton Centres strategic Middle Growth Reduction Town Tiers Role Taunton Deane Core Strategy Option 1  No Core Strategy nor further spatial direction to the distribution of strategic development Option 2 Some 11,000 new houses would be found within the Taunton urban area with a further 3,000 to the north of the town. Split between new housing at the Wellington Urban Area: 1,800 new dwellings and the remainder of the  Borough: 1,500 new dwellings. This equated to a roughly 55 / 45 split in favour of Wellington with regards to new housing in rural areas. Option 3 (preferred option) Significant uplift to housing provision requirements for Taunton Deane as a whole but particularly at Taunton.  Uplift in the housing requirement for the rural areas from 3,300 to 3,800, apportioning the majority of the uplift to the town. Option 4 This option involved the testing of a large scale strategic urban extension to the east of the M5 motorway. Removal of the explicit distinction between Wellington and the remaining rural areas within the Proposed  Changes to the Revised RSS means that there was some scope for considering maximising the potential for new housing development in Wellington and reducing that which needs to be accommodated elsewhere. Option 5 This option tested ‘lesser impact on the Hestercombe House Special Area of Conservation European site’.  Under this option, three of the more sensitive potential allocations to the north of the town at Staplegrove,

42 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 Options A B C D E F G H Garden Enhanced Enhanced Re- Town Garden Sub- Rural No Current alignment Uplift, Town & strategic Areas Dispersal Sustainability Appraisal Options considered for adopted Strategy Strategies outside Minor Sub- Town & Lead for Core Strategy and Local Plan Taunton Centres strategic Middle Growth Reduction Town Tiers Role Priorswood and Hartnells would not be developed. The resulting shortfall would need to be met to the east of the M5. Seek to focus development on the settlements of Wellington, Wiveliscombe, Cotford St Luke and Bishops Lydeard and is similar to option 4. The distinction and critical difference is that Wellington would not seek to maximise potential to such a degree and its development would be capped at around 1,875. Option 6 If for any reason any of the proposed strategic sites prove to be undeliverable, the Council needed a contingency. Release of land at Comeytrowe was the contingency that was tested.   Reflecting its Category B settlement status, Wellington would still reasonably be expected to accommodate the majority of the rural areas’ requirement. The remainder would be ‘shared’ probably more evenly across the smaller towns and villages. West Somerset Local Plan Strategy option 1 (preferred option) Concentrate new development at three main settlements  Strategy option 2 Concentrate new development at four main settlements – including the upgrading of Stogursey to a ‘Policy No direct alignment with options C’ (or Local Service centre) settlement Strategy option 3

Dispersal of development including allocations at the larger villages.  Excluded option 1 A strategy involving less development at the larger settlements and a much wider degree of dispersal of  development including the smaller settlements (including those with few or no facilities). Excluded option 2 A strategy involving no significant development at Minehead, with substantial development being focused  elsewhere in the District closer to the M5 corridor. Excluded option 3 A strategy involving the concentration of the bulk of the housing requirement in a single eco-village / new No direct alignment with options settlement.

43 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

6. Comparing Options with the Local Plan Review Draft Objectives

6.1 The emerging Local Plan Review objectives have been provided to us by SWTC officers. It is against these that we can give a very broad “traffic light” assessment of each of the options. The objectives are as follows.

1. To ensure all new development works towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by 2030” target through a spatial strategy that maximises low carbon opportunities; a positive shift in design quality to deliver high levels of energy and water efficiency; an increase in renewable energy provision; and future-proofing design to adapt to hotter, drier summers, increased flood risk and managing coastal change and sea level rises. 2. To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high-quality homes to meet the needs of all sections of our communities – particularly the elderly, and young people starting on the housing ladder – by boosting the delivery of affordable homes and smaller, accessible homes. 3. To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy; to ensure competitiveness across the wider sub-region; and to attract the most talented young workers to the District through providing sufficient high-quality accommodation, supporting the knowledge economy and maximising full-fibre digital connectivity. 4. To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling and public transport; and to reduce the need to travel and improve accessibility between homes, jobs and services through locating new development in settlements with the widest range of facilities, services and connections and delivering the physical and digital infrastructure to support this. 5. To recognise the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing value of the District’s locally, nationally and internationally distinctive landscapes and biodiversity, its historic character, heritage assets and places of recreational value through protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment and securing a net gain for biodiversity through new developments. 6. To enhance the role of Taunton town centre in the sub-region through the delivery of the Garden Town vision of regeneration with high quality employment provision, housing, retail and leisure uses and green infrastructure; and to strengthen the function, vitality and self-containment of Wellington, Minehead, Watchet and Williton. 7. To boost tourism, economic development, agricultural transformation and deliver more affordable homes in our rural and coastal communities whilst being sensitive to the impact of new development on the coastline and the character of rural areas. 8. To improving [sic.] wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities within urban areas, and between urban and rural communities, by enabling independence and facilitating social interaction through the support of public transport, digital and mobile connectivity and the protection and enhancement of community facilities. 9. To deliver thriving new communities and mitigate impact on existing communities and the environment through ensuring that new development is supported by essential transport, utilities, social and green infrastructure in a timely manner. 6.2 Most of these objectives are fairly wide-ranging in what they are trying to achieve, which, in the absence of further detail, means that our broad assessment of options against the objectives is necessarily “light touch”. As well as a traffic light style assessment, we have given each colour a

44 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020 score to help identify which options, in broad terms, could be more positive than others. Our notes on assumptions and observations made for each of the options against the objectives are set out in Appendix 4.

45 Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

Table 12 - Comparing Options with the Local Plan Review Draft Objectives

Options A B C D E F G H Garden Enhanced Enhanced Re- Town Garden Local Plan Review Objective (abbreviated) Sub-strategic Rural Areas Current alignment Uplift, Town & No Strategy Town & Lead for Dispersal Strategies outside Minor Sub- Middle Tiers Growth Taunton Centres strategic Role Reduction Town 1. To ensure all new development works towards… “carbon neutrality by -2 +1 0 +1 +1 0 -1 -1 2030”… 2. To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high-quality homes to meet the -1 +1 0 0 +1 0 -1 -1 needs of all sections of our communities… 3. To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy… 0 +1 0 +1 +1 0 -1 -1 4. To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling & -2 +1 0 +1 +1 0 -1 -2 public transport… 5. To recognise the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing value… -2 +1 -1 +1 +1 -1 -2 -2 6. To enhance the role of Taunton town centre… …delivery of the Garden Town vision… …strengthen the function, vitality & self-containment of -2 +2 +1 +2 +2 0 -1 -2 Wellington, Minehead, Watchet & Williton. 7. To boost tourism, economic dev., agricultural transformation & deliver -2 +1 +1 0 -1 +1 0 0 more affordable homes in our rural & coastal communities… 8. To improving wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities within -2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 urban areas, and between urban and rural communities… 9. To deliver thriving new communities & mitigate impact on existing -2 +1 0 +1 +1 0 -1 0 communities & the environment… Average score -15 +9 +1 +7 +7 0 -8 -9

Key Indicative marker Contribution to meeting objective Indicative marker Contribution to meeting objective -2 Very negative +1 Positive -1 Negative +2 Very positive 0 Neutral

6.3 The alternative strategies considered for the two adopted Plans in the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) process provide a useful starting point or indication of options which could still be considered as “reasonable” for the purposes of producing options for the Local Plan Review. While there is 46

Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

merit in using these options as a reference point for context, simply considering all again (including “excluded” options during the SA process) in light of the preferred approaches being agreed and also with the change now to the local authority boundaries would not be pragmatic and would serve to ignore the current direction of travel and strategy approaches set by each adopted Plan.

6.4 It should be noted that the detailed options for distribution of housing tested in the Core Strategy cannot be transferred to a new set of options at this point given that there is yet no certainty of the housing numbers to be delivered during the plan period beyond existing adopted Core Strategy and Local Plan commitments. In addition, the Brief for this report does not request detailed consideration of options at this stage but to set out options which present possible “directions of travel” for the spatial strategy.

7. Considering Options Against Commitments

7.1 While, as we have set out above, an initial approach to considering options for a future spatial strategy and settlement hierarchy should be “policy neutral”, that is, based on factual analysis of the role and function of places and so on, prior to a strategy or policy approach being applied, there are other factors which should not be ignored and which can help arrive at a reasonable and pragmatic set of options on which to consult in the Issues and Options document.

7.2 These include approved policy and confirmed financial commitments which make the current “direction of travel” for the spatial strategy difficult to alter (in the short to medium term at least) or make it difficult to introduce a very different strategy approach to that in the current adopted Plans.

7.3 These will provide varying degrees of influence over the options, depending on the likelihood of change to them in the future. For example, housing completions and commitments provide an indication of confidence in options with regard to their likelihood of being delivered and of their appropriateness if they suggest significant change, up or down of the proportion of dwellings to be delivered at the settlements. On the other hand, for example, the Corporate Strategy is for the short-term and is a politically endorsed policy document and so could change, while funding bids for key infrastructure may not be successful, and so, relying heavily on the fit between these sources and the options being considered to determine appropriate options for consultation is not advised. The assessment of these additional sources of information, however, does help to provide some further steer, when set alongside the other considerations in this report to affirm a range of sensible and reasonable options which should be consulted upon. In other words, these sources are useful when considered as part one source of many in contributing towards the identification of the options for consultation.

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7.4 We have been provided with the following up-to-date information to help further refine the suitability or not of the options set out in section 6 to be considered for consultation:

i) Housing completions data; ii) Infrastructure funding commitments and bids; and, iii) Somerset West and Taunton Council Corporate Strategy (agreed September 2019).

Housing Completions and Commitments Data

7.5 The following table sets out proposed or allocated housing numbers in the two adopted Plans alongside completions and commitments. These present a key indicator of progress against the adopted Plans’ objectives and spatial strategy. Housing completions (i.e. net new additional housing built) cannot be changed and therefore offer a test of the degree to which options could be introduced effectively, particularly those which offer substantial change in the direction of travel of the current strategy. Of housing commitments, comprising of allocated sites and planning permissions not yet implemented, allocated sites can be changed by strategy alteration (although only with evidence which suggests there is good a case to do so) but planning consents given could not be rescinded (instead permissions could lapse (run out of time) to be commenced, but only subject to landowner or developer desire not to implement permissions).

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Table 13 – Proposed or Allocated Housing Numbers in the Two Adopted Plans alongside Completions and Commitments Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan (Combined List) % of total development Commitments not completed identified in the relevant Net additional adopted Plan new housing Settlement Completions (number from Settlement nos. proposed / (number from Category (number)^ permissions to be Taunton West allocated (per permissions to be delivered beyond Deane Core Somerset settlement) delivered in plan current plan Strategy Local Plan period) period) Strategic Focus for Taunton 13,000 3,998 1,497 0 42% - Growth Secondary Focus for Wellington 2,500 1,397 1,219 120 109% - Growth Main Centre Minehead / Alcombe c.1,190 270 276 0 - 46% Rural Service Watchet c.515 - 236 21 0 22% Centres Williton c.635 - Major Rural Bishops Lydeard 200 - Centres Wiveliscombe 200 - Cotford St Luke 50+ - Creech St Michael 50+ - Minor Rural Milverton 50+ - Centres North Curry 50+ - Churchinford 50+ 1,152 695 2 164% - Ashbrittle Fitzhead Nynehead Ash Priors Halse Oake Bishopswood Hatch Pitminster Villages Blagdon Hill Beauchamp c.10-20 ** - Ruishton Bradford-on- Henlade Sampford Tone Kingston St Arundel Burrowbridge Mary

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Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan (Combined List) % of total development Commitments not completed identified in the relevant Net additional adopted Plan new housing Settlement Completions (number from Settlement nos. proposed / (number from Category (number)^ permissions to be Taunton West allocated (per permissions to be delivered beyond Deane Core Somerset settlement) delivered in plan current plan Strategy Local Plan period) period) Cheddon Langford Stoke St Fitzpaine Budville Gregory Combe Florey Lydeard St Stoke St Mary Corfe Lawrence West Bagborough West Buckland West Monkton Stogumber Bicknoller Stogursey Primary Carhampton West See notes * - Villages Crowcombe Quantoxhead Kilve Washford 218 148 0 252%^^ Holford - Dunster Marsh - Secondary Brompton Ralph See notes *** - Villages Battleton - Brushford - Notes: Data obtained from 2019 West Somerset and Taunton Deane SHLAA monitoring reports – see Authority Monitoring Reports * “limited development” means individual schemes of up to ten dwellings providing about a 10% increase in a settlement’s total dwelling number during the Local Plan period, limited to about 30% of this increase in any five year period. Based on the definition, this suggests a minimum of 3% of the 2,900 Local Plan requirement equalling 87 dwellings. ** There is no figure in the Core Strategy – it refers to “small scale” – our figure is an estimate. *** individual schemes of up to five dwellings providing about a 10% increase in a settlement’s total dwelling number during the Local Plan period, limited to about 30% of this increase in any five-year period. Based on the definition, this suggests a minimum of 2% of the 2,900 Local Plan requirement equalling 58 dwellings. ^ including windfall allowance for 2018/19. ^^ While this figure exceeds the Local Plan figure minimum significantly, based on text in the Local Plan it expects that around 20% of the total of 2,900 dwellings could be delivered outside of Minehead, Watchet and Williton, equating to around 560 dwellings. The current commitments and completions would represent 65% of this total. 50

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Infrastructure funding bids and commitments

7.6 Alongside housing completions and commitments data it is worth considering financial commitments made towards infrastructure to enable the current strategies to be delivered or which are required as a direct response to growth levels, wherever that may arise. Where funding has been secured and where essential infrastructure to service development is dependent upon funding from sources other than New Homes Bonus (NHB) or developer contributions (through section 106 obligations and / or the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)) in whole or in part, this could have an influence over the selection of options which merit further consideration as loss of such funding from Government sources and programmes could make development in some areas unviable and / or seeing a deficit in infrastructure required and to mitigate adverse impact of development. However, while it is important to reflect on such bids and commitments, a preferred set of options for consultation should not be determined solely on the need to retain funding for key infrastructure required to underpin and deliver the current strategies, particularly where funding has not been confirmed. As set out above, it can be just one indicator of any to be considered to weigh-up and assess the appropriateness or not for the options for consultation.

7.7 All funding bids (1 – 3 below) are subject to elements of match funding from s106, CIL and / or NHB in addition to Government funding programmes into which have been the subject of bids.

7.8 At the current time, SWTC has listed the following funding bids and commitments for consideration against the options to understand potential impact of the bids and commitments on the options and vice-versa:

1. High Street Fund (for infrastructure required in Taunton in relation to the growth of the garden town) a. Revolving Investment Fund for development at Firepool, unlocking town centre regeneration sites, strategic acquisitions and the Empty Properties initiative. This includes a number of sites and potential acquisitions to deliver additional affordable housing in the town centre and commercial units; b. Taunton Public Space Improvement Project; c. Brewhouse Theatre enhancement to create Cultural/Community hub; d. Town centre Pedestrian and Cycle route improvements and town centre cycle parking improvements linking to key employment sites and new garden communities; 2. Housing Infrastructure Fund (“forward funding” for infrastructure required in Taunton in relation to the growth of the garden town): a. Western Relief Road; 51

Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

b. Rapid Bus Link Phase 1; c. Monkton Heathfield School + Land; d. Toneway Corridor; e. Comeytrowe Spine Road (A38 to school); f. Comeytrowe All-through School + Land; 3. Urban Tree Challenge Fund (for infrastructure required in Taunton in relation to the growth of the garden town): a. Proposal to plant up to 711 trees on Council-owned land within three of the most deprived neighbourhoods of the Garden Town - Priorswood, Halcon and Holway; 4. Wellington rail station (undergoing feasibility testing); and, 5. A358 dualling (required to reduce congestion, rather than increase capacity at Taunton).

Somerset West and Taunton Council Corporate Strategy (September 2019)

7.9 SWTC has recently agreed its Corporate Strategy for the period 2020-2024. While it covers the short-term it sets important context for the direction of travel for the new Council. Objectives of the Strategy are set out under four themes: Our Environment and Economy; A transparent and customer-focused Council; Homes and Communities; and, An Enterprising Council.

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7.10 Of its strategic themes, two are particularly relevant to the Local Plan Review, “Our Environment and Economy” and “Homes and Communities”. Many of the objectives for these themes (see boxes) can be delivered (in whole, or in part at least) through the planning system and are of relevance to the Local Plan Review and options for the strategy. Some strategy options will deliver or help to deliver the objectives better than others and this is considered further below. As can be expected there is a close relationship and overlap with the draft Local Plan Review objectives considered earlier in this report. Where an objective fits with one from the Local Plan Review, the appraisal above of emerging objectives against options will be particularly pertinent.

Observations

7.11 The table below sets out our commentary against the data and documents considered above. The observations can be “overlaid” on the options to help refine or further inform a decision on a final set of options which should be consulted upon.

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Table 14 – Brief Observations on Sources of Additional Information and Data

Option Strategy Direction Housing Completions and Commitments Infrastructure Funding Bids and Commitments Relationship with Corporate Strategy

 Less likely to gain funding with no strategy  Market lead for delivery. in place to help drive sustainable  With the absence of a strategy, no development objectives or delivery. intervention would lead to no control over  No timeframe on delivery of critical mass scale, timing or appropriateness of No Strategy required for some infrastructure projects. development.  Most objectives will not be realised and not A No development plan  Key infrastructure less likely to be  Development less likely to be delivered to the desired level of change. strategy (market led). deliverable. where costs of land and infrastructure are  Economies of scale unlikely to be achieved high. with some service infrastructure provision  Rate of delivery at Taunton likely to be unlikely to be provided to the capacity slower than current rates. required.  Corporate Strategy re-emphasises focus for quicker and higher quality of delivery at  “Business as usual”.  “Business as usual”. Taunton in particular (both housing and  If bids successful, delivery rates at Taunton Current Strategies  Delivery at Taunton slower than anticipated. infrastructure) and positive response to could improve. B Existing proportions  Possible implications for higher numbers delivering sustainable development across  If bids unsuccessful, ability to mitigate of development. and rates of delivery in some rural rural areas. adverse impact and provide sufficient settlements.  Improvements required to delivery rates in infrastructure for growth compromised. Taunton to respond to challenges set out in objectives. Re-alignment  “Business as usual”.  Current delivery rates fit reasonably well  Corporate Strategy re-emphasises the focus outside Taunton  If bids successful, delivery rates at Taunton with this option with higher rates being for quicker and higher quality of delivery at Re-alignment of could improve. seen in Wellington relative to the timeframe Taunton in particular (both housing and settlement  If bids unsuccessful, ability to mitigate for delivery and the delivery achieved in infrastructure) and positive response to proportions outside adverse impact and provide sufficient C Taunton. delivering sustainable development across Taunton. Increase at infrastructure for growth compromised.  While there is some scope to increase rates rural areas. Wellington,  Increased opportunity for Wellington rail of delivery from the current position in  Some positive, some negative impact from Minehead, Watchet, station. some rural settlements, increased rates in the option on delivering objectives in Williton,  Economies of scale unlikely to be achieved others could mean a substantial additional Corporate Strategy. Broadly neutral or Wiveliscombe and in some settlements with some service 54

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Option Strategy Direction Housing Completions and Commitments Infrastructure Funding Bids and Commitments Relationship with Corporate Strategy Bishops Lydeard, number of dwellings during the Plan period infrastructure provision unlikely to be positive for Taunton and Wellington, lower levels of over the current strategy provision. provided to the capacity required. potentially negative elsewhere development  Improvements required to delivery rates in elsewhere. Taunton to respond to challenges set out in objectives.  Places additional emphasis on the success of Garden Town Uplift, funding bids, particularly relative to Taunton Minor Centres but also for Wellington by implication and  Challenging to increase delivery quantum Reduction due to local economic area relationship with and rates at Taunton and also better Increase at Taunton, Taunton. manage rates at Wellington for the new  Positive impact on delivery of objectives D broadly the same or  Option provides stronger case for funding to Plan period given current rates of delivery with Taunton focus for enhanced delivery. less as current at see required infrastructure delivered. and particularly if required infrastructure at other tiers and  Increased scale could improve economies of Taunton not forthcoming. villages but less at scale but also lead to further challenges to Minor Rural Centres. fund additional infrastructure for increased levels of development.  Challenging to increase delivery quantum and rates at Taunton for the new Plan period given current rates of delivery and  Places additional emphasis on the success of Enhanced Garden particularly if required infrastructure at funding bids, particularly relative to Taunton Town and Sub- Taunton not forthcoming. but also for Wellington by implication and strategic Town  Question as to whether rates of delivery at due to local economic area relationship with  Positive impact on delivery of objectives Increased Wellington could be sustained to deliver Taunton. with Taunton and Wellington focus for E development at higher scale of development overall but also  Option provides stronger case for funding to enhanced delivery. Taunton and what the housing market impact and see required infrastructure delivered.  Potential negative impact on objectives in Wellington and less delivery rates would be like in Taunton if  Increased scale could improve economies of rural areas. in Minehead and at this occurred. Could substantial increases at scale but also lead to further challenges to Rural Centres. both Taunton and Wellington be fund additional infrastructure for increased accomplished? levels of development.  Challenging to reduce scale at Minehead and Rural Centres?

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Option Strategy Direction Housing Completions and Commitments Infrastructure Funding Bids and Commitments Relationship with Corporate Strategy

 The option almost mirrors what has happened with delivery rates at Taunton and Wellington.  There is scope to increase rates at  Increased risk that funding bids would be Enhanced Sub- Minehead and Rural Centres (probably, the unsuccessful or if successful, undeliverable strategic Town and latter in particular) given the current with the scale of development at Taunton Middle Tiers Role quantum and rates of change and could be reduced. Less development at an opportunity to rebalance some implied  Risk that Corporate Strategy objectives are  Opportunity to enhance feasibility / viability F Taunton and more at growth at villages (in West Somerset) into not delivered with less emphasis of delivery of re-opening the rail station at Wellington. Wellington, the Rural Centres. at Taunton.  Economies of scale unlikely to be achieved Minehead and Rural  However, while there is some scope to in some settlements with some service Centres with same increase rates of delivery from the current infrastructure provision unlikely to be elsewhere. position in some rural settlements, provided to the capacity required. increased rates in others could mean a substantial additional number of dwellings during the Plan period over the current strategy provision.  This option would lead to a marked step-  Increased risk that funding bids would be change in delivery rates in rural areas, while unsuccessful or if successful, undeliverable reducing growth rates in Taunton and with the scale of development at Taunton Wellington. This would be challenging given Rural Areas Lead for reduced. the current direction of travel. Growth  Infrastructure provision at Taunton and  An increase in the current rates of delivery  Corporate Strategy objectives unlikely to be Less development at Wellington likely to suffer and less likely to G at some rural settlements which have delivered, apart from those which relate Taunton and deliver sufficient infrastructure to mitigate already seen commitments and completions directly to positive change in rural areas. Wellington with and respond to demand. above the minimum intended in the more elsewhere.  Economies of scale unlikely to be achieved adopted Plans suggests that any significant in some settlements with some service increase in those settlements would infrastructure provision unlikely to be represent large scale growth across rural provided to the capacity required. areas. Dispersal  Less likely to gain funding for key  Most objectives will not be realised and not H Less development at  Market lead for delivery. infrastructure with a strategy in place which to the desired level of change. Taunton, Wellington 56

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Option Strategy Direction Housing Completions and Commitments Infrastructure Funding Bids and Commitments Relationship with Corporate Strategy

and Minehead and  Development less likely to be delivered does not help to drive sustainable more elsewhere. where costs of land and infrastructure are development objectives or delivery. high.  Key infrastructure less likely to be  Rate of delivery at Taunton likely to be deliverable. slower than current rates.  Economies of scale unlikely to be achieved  An increase in the current rates of delivery in some settlements with some service at some rural settlements which have infrastructure provision unlikely to be already seen commitments and completions provided to the capacity required. above the minimum intended in the adopted Plans suggests that any significant increase in those settlements would represent large scale growth across rural areas.

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8. Summary and Recommendations

8.1 We have fulfilled the requirements of the Brief within the context of the information available at this time. Rather than use out-of-date data and evidence we have simply noted that up-to-date data and studies should inform the further assessment of settlement hierarchy and reasonable options for the Local Plan to 2040.

8.2 We have compared the objectives of the adopted Plans and the draft Local Plan Review objectives. In broad terms, they fit reasonably well with no clear gaps between them. Both the Core Strategy and Local Plan Review objectives (considered below against the current Plans’ objectives) adopt a style which seems to combine traditional “aims” (i.e. “to” achieve something, or a goal) with traditional “objectives” (i.e. how those aims will be achieved). This results in them being wide-ranging capturing many objectives within one. As most of the draft Local Plan Review objectives are fairly wide-ranging in what they are trying to achieve, our broad assessment of options against the objectives has been necessarily “light touch”.

8.3 We have compared the current hierarchies from both the West Somerset Local Plan and Taunton Deane Core Strategy. Some tiers in the existing adopted Plans are not directly comparable or mean the same thing, particularly where proposed scales of appropriate housing are not expressed definitively by a number. We have attempted to bring together both hierarchies into a single, composite set. However, there are many variables and factors which will need to be explored further to refine and be clear about where within the hierarchy some settlements fit. This includes the following:

i) For smaller settlements, their position in the hierarchy could also be dictated by the completions delivered since adoption of the Plan and an understanding of housing needs across tenures. ii) Some settlements within the West Somerset Local Plan which have been categorised as “Minor Rural Centres” may be better placed in the “Villages” category if their role and function is very different from others in the category. iii) Relative position within the hierarchy would also depend on the spatial strategy being followed. iv) Inclusion of a settlement within a category does not mean that the scale of new development would be the same as other settlements in the same category. v) Some tiers could indicate a range of dwelling numbers with allocations being more prescriptive about numbers specific to settlement within hierarchy. vi) Indicating a proportionate increase of dwelling numbers in smaller settlements in relation to settlement size may not give sufficient certainty to the planning system for the spatial strategy overall to be considered robust.

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vii) An up-to-date understanding of the role and function, dwelling numbers, completions and the population of settlements can better inform a hierarchy going forward. 8.4 Further detailed work to better define current character, role and function of each settlement should be undertaken. This will, no doubt, be undertaken as a matter of course to underpin the Local Plan Review and robustness of the spatial strategy and policies. Such evidence should include:

 Up-to-date population and household estimates and projections;  A scale of new dwellings required in the new Local Plan review period to 2040;  Housing delivery rates, completion data and other housing market assessment data;  Up-to-date housing needs assessment / objective assessment of need;  Up-to-date strategic housing land availability (land supply) data;  Travel time to next tier of settlement for residents to access a greater / higher level of services and facilities;  Carbon and other emissions arising from transport;  Retail offer and vacancy rates;  Employment land and premises (economic) offer;  Travel-to-work areas / functional economic areas;  Infrastructure (transport accessibility and connectivity);  Public transport services;  Sports, leisure and recreation services and facilities;  Education offer;  Green infrastructure network;  Arts and cultural offer;  Health services and facilities available;  Environmental protections, opportunities and constraints; and,  Heritage assets and historic environment. 8.5 These factors could be considered drawing from evidence base reports and studies undertaken for the Local Plan Review and set out in a Role and Function Study to provide a hierarchy with more clarity.

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8.6 We have identified 8 options which could feature in the Issues and Options consultation. The list of options considered is not exhaustive and further work could identify other options to be explored, if necessary. However, for consultation to be meaningful, it is suggested that fewer than 8 options are subject to consultation.

8.7 Of the 8 options considered as possible reasonable alternatives on which consultation could take place, from Table 12, the distinctly least positive options appear to be:

 A: No strategy (which scored -15 in the assessment);  G: Rural areas lead for growth (which scored -8 in the assessment); and,  H: Dispersal (which scored -9 in the assessment). 8.8 It would seem pragmatic and reasonable to exclude these options as they have very low scores and seem unlikely to perform well when assessed during the SA process. In addition, option A can be discounted on the basis that the options to be consulted upon are intended to help identify a preferred strategy and options G and H represent a ‘volte face’ against the current strategy and will not deliver the objectives of sustainable development. Option H was also excluded during the West Somerset Local Plan process.

It would also seem appropriate to discount a further two options from consultation which do not perform particularly positively when assessed:

 C: Re-alignment outside Taunton (which scored +1 in the assessment); and,  F: Enhanced role for smaller settlements (which scored 0 in the assessment).

While these options did not score negatively overall, neither do the options perform highly and are some distance from the top three scoring options in Table 12.

8.9 Of the 8 options, the distinctly most positive options appear to be:

 B: Current strategies (which scored +9 in the assessment);  D: Garden town uplift, minor centres reduction (which scored +7 in the assessment); and,  E: Enhanced garden town and sub-strategic town (which scored +7 in the assessment).

8.10 Brief consideration of additional sources of data and information seems to concur that these options are the most positive.

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8.11 This report cannot form the sole source of evidence to justify a preferred option. Further and up-to-date evidence (data and studies) will be needed to better inform the appropriateness of options and also provide detail to go beyond simply a direction of travel for future growth and change across the local authority area. A review of the role and function of settlements, drawing on up-to-date data and evidence listed above will help to realign and / or fine-tune options and a preferred settlement hierarchy. A preferred option and spatial strategy for growth and change will also need to be informed by an understanding of the quantum of new additional housing required in the new Local Plan period (currently unknown at the time of writing this report).

8.12 On the basis of the data and documents which have been made available to us to assess the settlement hierarchy and inform development of broad and indicative spatial strategy options and taking into account our suggestion for the need to undertake further research to provide up-to-date evidence to inform a preferred settlement hierarchy, the options presented in this report and their detail, it is recommended that the three most positive options are consulted upon (options B, D and E), given that they score distinctly higher than others.

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Appendix 1 - Brief

Assessment of Settlement Strategy Options to inform the Local Plan Issues and Options Document

1. Introduction The new Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) came into being on Monday 1 April 2019 which combined the former West Somerset Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council into a new single lower-tier district council. The Local Planning Authority area covers the new district but excludes that part of the district covered by Exmoor National Park Authority.

In April 2019, the Authority commenced pre-production work on its new Local Plan. We are publishing and Issues and Options document (Reg 18) for consultation in December 2019. One of the options to be presented are options for the Settlement Strategy.

Given that the two former LPAs have their own settlement strategies, the challenge for the Local Plan is to have a new coherent and consistent strategy covering the SWT. This may require changes to either existing strategy to ensure consistency or the existing strategies may combine well to deliver a new appropriate strategy with minimal changes. This is what we don’t yet know and want this piece of work to assess.

We are also conscious that Local Plan Inspectors are critical where settlement strategies are not coherent. For this reason, it is particularly important that we do not just roll forward our existing approach without reviewing alternatives otherwise our Plan could be found unsound in Plan making terms, and not legal in relation to the SA process.

2. Outcomes sought The production of a Topic Paper presenting reasonable alternatives (options) for the Settlement Strategy to bet inserted into the Issues and Options document. The Topic Paper should:

i. Summarise the existing “business as usual” strategies in the Taunton Deane Core Strategy and West Somerset Local Plan and a brief ‘compare and contrast’ of the two strategies, including a brief summary of the key objectives that led to the adoption of these strategies; ii. Set out alternatives to these strategies (previous Sustainability Appraisal Reports have been provided for additional guidance) iii. Briefly assess whether the existing and alternative strategies are reasonable when considered against the Draft Local Plan Objectives; iv. Conclusion stating the reasonable alternatives (options) to be considered in the Options document for consultation It is not expected for the Topic Paper to consider housing numbers that may be attributed to settlements in the strategies not the availability of development sites/opportunities. This will form a separate piece of work at a later stage. 62

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3. Relevant documents . Taunton Deane Core Strategy (Policy SP1) . West Somerset Local Plan 2032 (Policy SC1) . Taunton Deane Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal of options (pages 14-29 of relevance) . West Somerset Local Plan 2032 Sustainability Appraisal of options (pages 4-12 of relevance) . Draft Local Plan Objectives

4. Timetable

Task Timescale Comment An indication of reasonable 30 Aug 2019 or To be inputted and assessed in the SA alternatives (task iv) earlier (discussing SA Options on Fri 9th Aug so can clarify this with Riki Therivel) A rough draft of the Topic Paper 11 Sept 2019 This is the date we are trying to get all of (tasks i-iv) our information for the Issues and Options collated. Text from the Topic Paper would inform the text for the Issues and Options document A final of the Topic Paper 30 Oct 2019 To be published alongside the consultation on the Issues and Options in December 2019.

5. Format

A concise topic paper in MS Word and pdf format.

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Appendix 2 – New Local Plan Draft Objectives

Objective 1 - To ensure all new development works towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by 2030” target

Objective 2 - To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high quality and affordable homes to meet the needs of all sections of our communities

Objective 3 - To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy ensuring competitiveness across the wider sub -region and attracting the most talented workers to the District

Objective 4 - To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling and public transport and to reduce the need to travel

Objective 5 - To protect and enhance the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing value of the District’s distinctive landscapes biodiversity and local character.

Objective 6 - To enhance the role of Taunton town centre in the sub-region and to strengthen the function, vitality and self-containment of all our towns

Objective 7 - To boost tourism, economic development, agricultural transformation and deliver more affordable homes in our rural and coastal communities

Objective 8 - To improve wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities enabling independence and facilitating social interaction

Objective 9 - To ensure that new development is supported by essential infrastructure in a timely manner

(note: numbering and ordering of objectives in the Local Plan Issues and options has been amended since the topic paper was d rafted)

Source: SWTC Officers, September 2019

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Appendix 3 –Population Estimates (based on 2017 Lower Super Output Areas)

The population data has been supplied by SWTC officers. The data has been used to estimate the latest population figures by settlement for larger settlements only. While some Lower Super Output Areas (LSOA) fit well with settlement extents, many (particularly rural settlements and those within close proximity to each other) do not and so reliable estimates of settlements with large LSOAs cannot be made at the current time based on these figures. Figures estimated for settlements should be used with caution but give a rough indication of population size.

Table A.1 Lower Super Output Area populations aligned with settlements

Main settlements In Exmoor National LSOA code LSOA name Quality of fit with Population within the LSOA LSOA (Good/Poor) Park? (Yes/No) E01029258 Taunton Deane 001A Bishop's Lydeard Poor No 1,554 E01029259 Taunton Deane 001B Bishop's Lydeard Poor No 1,522 E01029260 Taunton Deane 001C Cotford St Luke Good No 2,365 E01029268 Taunton Deane 001D Lydeard St Lawrence Poor No 1,582 E01029276 Taunton Deane 002A Taunton Good No 1,779 E01029278 Taunton Deane 002B Kingston St Mary Poor No 1,419 E01029290 Taunton Deane 002C Taunton Good No 1,364 E01029306 Taunton Deane 002D Taunton Good No 1,563 E01029319 Taunton Deane 002E Taunton Good No 1,417 E01029267 Taunton Deane 003A Milverton Poor No 1,634 E01029320 Taunton Deane 003B Wiveliscombe Good No 1,672 E01029321 Taunton Deane 003C Waterrow Poor No 2,346 E01029297 Taunton Deane 004A Taunton Good No 1,294 E01029298 Taunton Deane 004B Taunton Good No 1,418 E01029304 Taunton Deane 004C Taunton Good No 1,514 E01029305 Taunton Deane 004D Taunton Good No 1,311 E01029307 Taunton Deane 004E Taunton Good No 1,442 65

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Main settlements In Exmoor National LSOA code LSOA name Quality of fit with Population within the LSOA LSOA (Good/Poor) Park? (Yes/No) E01029271 Taunton Deane 005A North Curry Poor No 1,804 Creech St Michael incl E01029273 Taunton Deane 005B Poor No 1,330 Creech Heathfield Creech St Michael incl E01029274 Taunton Deane 005C Poor No 1,718 Creech Heathfield E01029275 Taunton Deane 005D Henlade and Ruishton Poor No 1,340 Stoke St Gregory and E01029279 Taunton Deane 005E Poor No 1,466 Burrowbridge E01029282 Taunton Deane 006A Taunton Good No 1,305 E01029291 Taunton Deane 006B Taunton Good No 1,591 E01029294 Taunton Deane 006C Taunton Good No 1,767 E01029317 Taunton Deane 006D Taunton Good No 1,606 E01029318 Taunton Deane 006E Taunton Good No 3,235 E01029285 Taunton Deane 007A Taunton Good No 2,445 E01029287 Taunton Deane 007B Taunton Good No 1,468 E01029288 Taunton Deane 007C Taunton Good No 1,500 E01029289 Taunton Deane 007D Taunton Good No 1,913 E01029299 Taunton Deane 007E Taunton Good No 1,543 E01029300 Taunton Deane 007F Taunton Good No 2,013 E01029256 Taunton Deane 008A Taunton Good No 1,859 E01029257 Taunton Deane 008B Taunton Good No 2,281 E01029277 Taunton Deane 008D Taunton Good No 1,342 E01032651 Taunton Deane 008E Taunton Good No 2,265 E01032652 Taunton Deane 008F Taunton Good No 1,731 E01029280 Taunton Deane 009A Taunton Good No 1,773 E01029281 Taunton Deane 009B Taunton Good No 1,661 E01029283 Taunton Deane 009C Taunton Good No 1,729 66

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Main settlements In Exmoor National LSOA code LSOA name Quality of fit with Population within the LSOA LSOA (Good/Poor) Park? (Yes/No) E01029292 Taunton Deane 009D Taunton Good No 1,629 E01029293 Taunton Deane 009E Taunton Good No 1,632 E01029266 Taunton Deane 010A Taunton Good No 1,453 E01029284 Taunton Deane 010B Taunton Good No 1,642 E01029286 Taunton Deane 010C Taunton Good No 1,770 E01029301 Taunton Deane 010D Taunton Good No 2,124 E01029303 Taunton Deane 010E Taunton Good No 1,921 E01029263 Taunton Deane 011A Taunton Good No 1,381 E01029264 Taunton Deane 011B Taunton Good No 1,269 E01029265 Taunton Deane 011C Taunton Good No 1,342 E01029302 Taunton Deane 011D Taunton Good No 1,776 E01029308 Taunton Deane 011E Trull Poor No 2,144 E01029309 Taunton Deane 012A Wellington Good No 2,900 E01029311 Taunton Deane 012B Wellington Good No 1,900 E01029312 Taunton Deane 012C Wellington Good No 1,399 E01029313 Taunton Deane 012D Wellington Good No 1,327 E01029316 Taunton Deane 012E Wellington Good No 1,701 Bradford on Tone, E01029262 Taunton Deane 013A Langford Budville, Poor No 2,329 Oake Chelston Heathfield, E01029269 Taunton Deane 013B West Buckland, Poor No 2,174 Sampford Arundel E01029310 Taunton Deane 013C Wellington Good No 1,829 E01029314 Taunton Deane 013D Wellington Good No 2,869 E01029315 Taunton Deane 013E Wellington Good No 1,441 E01029261 Taunton Deane 014A Churchinford Poor No 2,081 67

Local Plan 2040 - Issues and Options - Topic Paper 1 January 2020

Main settlements In Exmoor National LSOA code LSOA name Quality of fit with Population within the LSOA LSOA (Good/Poor) Park? (Yes/No) Stoke St Mary, Hatch E01029270 Taunton Deane 014B Beauchamp, Corfe, Poor No 2,151 Staple Fitzpaine E01029295 Taunton Deane 014C Taunton Good No 1,564 E01029296 Taunton Deane 014D Taunton Good No 1,794 E01029324 West Somerset 001B Minehead Good No 1,756 E01029329 West Somerset 001C Minehead Good No 1,737 E01029330 West Somerset 001D Minehead Good Partially 1,979 E01032636 West Somerset 001F Minehead Good Partially 1,991 E01029322 West Somerset 002A Minehead Good Partially 2,049 E01029331 West Somerset 002B Minehead Good Partially 1,382 E01029333 West Somerset 002C Minehead Good Partially 1,149 E01029336 West Somerset 002D Porlock Poor Entirely 2,000 E01029326 West Somerset 003A Carhampton Poor Partially 1,234 E01029334 West Somerset 003B Old Cleeve, Washford Poor No 1,182 E01029339 West Somerset 003C Watchet Good No 1,532 E01029341 West Somerset 003E Watchet Good No 1,218 Watchet/Williton split E01032635 West Somerset 003G Poor No 2,150 50/50 Upton, Brompton E01029327 West Somerset 004A Ralph, Crowcombe, Poor Partially 2,024 Stogumber Beggearn Huish, E01029335 West Somerset 004B Roadwater, Poor Partially 1,018 Luxborough Stogursey, Holford, E01029337 West Somerset 004C Poor No 2,111 Kilve

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Main settlements In Exmoor National LSOA code LSOA name Quality of fit with Population within the LSOA LSOA (Good/Poor) Park? (Yes/No) West Quantoxhead, E01029342 West Somerset 004D Sampford Brett, Poor No 1,190 Bicknoller E01029343 West Somerset 004E Williton Good No 1,658 Dunster, Wootton E01029325 West Somerset 005A Poor Partially 1,856 Courtenay E01029328 West Somerset 005B Dulverton Poor Partially 1,902 E01029338 West Somerset 005C Mainly Exmoor Poor Partially 1,747

Table A.2 Main settlement populations

Main settlement Population total

Taunton 69,426 Wellington 15,366 Minehead 12,043 Watchet 3,825 Bishop's Lydeard 3,076 Williton 2,733 Wiveliscombe 1,672 Note: As shown in table A.1, the Lower Super Output Area population split between Watchet and Williton (West Somerset 003G) is unclear as the boundary straddles the two settlements. An assumption of a 50/50 split has been made. For this reason the population total for these settlements is less accurate.

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Appendix 4 – Notes and Observations which have helped to inform the Indicative Scores in Table 12

Option Local Plan Review Objective (ordered as per the Local Plan Issues and Options A document) No Strategy 1. To ensure all new development works towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by -2 2030” target 2. To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high quality and affordable homes to -1 meet the needs of all sections of our communities 3. To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy ensuring competitiveness across the wider sub-region and attracting the most talented 0 workers to the District  Strategy intervention is required to move positively towards carbon neutrality and component parts of 4. To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling and -2 elements of the first objective. public transport and to reduce the need to travel  The same is true relative to many of the objectives where achieving the objective will not be the 5. To protect and enhance the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing -2 outcome without a strategy in place. value of the District’s distinctive landscapes biodiversity and local character.  The option scores neutral for objective 3 as a market led approach without strategy intervention is likely 6. To enhance the role of Taunton town centre in the sub-region and to strengthen -2 to have some positive and some negative impacts and so a balanced score is appropriate. the function, vitality and self-containment of all our towns  Economies of scale required to deliver key service and other infrastructure is unlikely to be realised with 7. To boost tourism, economic development, agricultural transformation and -2 the pattern of development set out in this option. deliver more affordable homes in our rural and coastal communities 8. To improve wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities enabling -2 independence and facilitating social interaction 9. To ensure that new development is supported by essential infrastructure in a -2 timely manner Average score -15

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Option Local Plan Review Objective (ordered as per the Local Plan Issues and Options B document) Current Strategies 1. To ensure all new development works towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by +1 2030” target 2. To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high quality and affordable homes to +1 meet the needs of all sections of our communities 3. To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy ensuring competitiveness across the wider sub-region and attracting the most talented +1 workers to the District  4. To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling and Current strategies are, for the most part, positively contributing towards the principles of sustainable +1 public transport and to reduce the need to travel development. The strategies are particularly positive in relation to objective 6.  5. To protect and enhance the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing The option’s relationship with objective 8 is balanced given the challenges of achieving this. Most +1 value of the District’s distinctive landscapes biodiversity and local character. strategies will be able to make some positive contribution to the objective, but the breadth of the objective’s outcomes sought makes it challenging to positively deliver, particularly with multiple other 6. To enhance the role of Taunton town centre in the sub-region and to strengthen +2 factors required outside the planning process to realise the outcomes. the function, vitality and self-containment of all our towns 7. To boost tourism, economic development, agricultural transformation and +1 deliver more affordable homes in our rural and coastal communities 8. To improve wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities enabling 0 independence and facilitating social interaction 9. To ensure that new development is supported by essential infrastructure in a +1 timely manner Average score +9

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Option Local Plan Review Objective (ordered as per the Local Plan Issues and Options C document) Re-alignment outside Taunton 1. To ensure all new development works towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by 0 2030” target 2. To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high quality and affordable homes to 0 meet the needs of all sections of our communities  Option C presents both positive and negative responses to a number of objectives including those with a 3. To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy ensuring broad set of outcomes. competitiveness across the wider sub-region and attracting the most talented 0  The response to objective 5 is negative as increasing levels of development at some rural settlements workers to the District could have an adverse impact on landscape, environmental and historic assets and designations. 4. To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling and 0  With growth at the current levels at Taunton and increasing at Wellington, Minehead and Rural Centres, public transport and to reduce the need to travel the responses to objectives 6 and 7 are positive. 5. To protect and enhance the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing -1  Increasing housing levels in rural areas could lead to less affordable housing being delivered in value of the District’s distinctive landscapes biodiversity and local character. settlements where sites are smaller, although delivery increasing at larger rural settlements and levels 6. To enhance the role of Taunton town centre in the sub-region and to strengthen +1 being maintained in Taunton could mitigate this potential loss to opportunity of supply, hence the the function, vitality and self-containment of all our towns balanced score for objective 2. 7. To boost tourism, economic development, agricultural transformation and +1  The option’s relationship with objective 8 is balanced given the challenges of achieving this. Most deliver more affordable homes in our rural and coastal communities strategies will be able to make some positive contribution to the objective, but the breadth of the 8. To improve wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities enabling 0 objective’s outcomes sought makes it challenging to positively deliver, particularly with multiple other independence and facilitating social interaction factors required outside the planning process to realise the outcomes. 9. To ensure that new development is supported by essential infrastructure in a 0 timely manner Average score +1

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Option Local Plan Review Objective (ordered as per the Local Plan Issues and Options D document) Garden Town Uplift, Minor Centres Reduction 1. To ensure all new development works towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by +1 2030” target 2. To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high quality and affordable homes to 0 meet the needs of all sections of our communities 3. To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy ensuring competitiveness across the wider sub-region and attracting the most talented +1 workers to the District  Option D is, for the most part, positive when set alongside the objectives. 4. To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling and  The option is neutral in relation to objective 2 as gains in housing supply and type as a result of an +1 public transport and to reduce the need to travel increase in Taunton are offset by reduced opportunities in minor rural centres. 5. To protect and enhance the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing  The option is particularly positive against objective 6 as levels of development are likely to enhance the +1 value of the District’s distinctive landscapes biodiversity and local character. ability to deliver the outcomes the objectives seeks in Taunton. 6. To enhance the role of Taunton town centre in the sub-region and to strengthen  The option’s relationship with objective 8 is balanced given the challenges of achieving this. Most +2 the function, vitality and self-containment of all our towns strategies will be able to make some positive contribution to the objective, but the breadth of the 7. To boost tourism, economic development, agricultural transformation and objective’s outcomes sought makes it challenging to positively deliver, particularly with multiple other 0 deliver more affordable homes in our rural and coastal communities factors required outside the planning process to realise the outcomes. 8. To improve wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities enabling 0 independence and facilitating social interaction 9. To ensure that new development is supported by essential infrastructure in a +1 timely manner Average score +7

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Option Local Plan Review Objective (ordered as per the Local Plan Issues and Options E document) Enhanced Garden Town & Sub-strategic Town 1. To ensure all new development works towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by +1 2030” target 2. To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high quality and affordable homes to +1 meet the needs of all sections of our communities 3. To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy ensuring  Option E is, for the most part, positive against the objectives. competitiveness across the wider sub-region and attracting the most talented +1  The option has a negative score against objective 7 given lower levels of housing development at workers to the District Minehead and rural centres which could impact the ability to deliver affordable housing in rural and 4. To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling and +1 coastal communities and boost economic development in rural areas. public transport and to reduce the need to travel  The option is particularly positive against objective 6 as levels of development are likely to enhance the 5. To protect and enhance the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing +1 ability to deliver the outcomes the objectives seeks in Taunton and Wellington. Lower levels of value of the District’s distinctive landscapes biodiversity and local character. development at Minehead and rural centres would not have to necessarily reduce their ability to meet 6. To enhance the role of Taunton town centre in the sub-region and to strengthen +2 this objective. the function, vitality and self-containment of all our towns  The option’s relationship with objective 8 is balanced given the challenges of achieving this. Most 7. To boost tourism, economic development, agricultural transformation and -1 strategies will be able to make some positive contribution to the objective, but the breadth of the deliver more affordable homes in our rural and coastal communities objective’s outcomes sought makes it challenging to positively deliver, particularly with multiple other 8. To improve wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities enabling 0 factors required outside the planning process to realise the outcomes. independence and facilitating social interaction 9. To ensure that new development is supported by essential infrastructure in a +1 timely manner Average score +7

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Option Local Plan Review Objective (ordered as per the Local Plan Issues and Options F document) Enhanced Sub-strategic Town & Middle Tiers Role 1. To ensure all new development works towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by 0 2030” target 2. To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high quality and affordable homes to 0 meet the needs of all sections of our communities  Many of the objectives are neutral against option F. While less development at Taunton could be 3. To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy ensuring negative when seeking to achieve sustainable development objectives and principles, increasing competitiveness across the wider sub-region and attracting the most talented 0 development at larger rural settlements, Minehead and Wellington could contribute positively to many workers to the District of the objectives and given the breadth of outcomes that some objectives are seeking, in some cases the 4. To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling and 0 option will be positive against part of the objective and in others be negative, hence the balance in public transport and to reduce the need to travel scoring for a number of the objectives. 5. To protect and enhance the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing -1  The response to objective 5 is negative as increasing levels of development at some rural settlements value of the District’s distinctive landscapes biodiversity and local character. could have an adverse impact on landscape, environmental and historic assets and designations. 6. To enhance the role of Taunton town centre in the sub-region and to strengthen 0  The option’s relationship with objective 8 is balanced given the challenges of achieving this. Most the function, vitality and self-containment of all our towns strategies will be able to make some positive contribution to the objective, but the breadth of the 7. To boost tourism, economic development, agricultural transformation and +1 objective’s outcomes sought makes it challenging to positively deliver, particularly with multiple other deliver more affordable homes in our rural and coastal communities factors required outside the planning process to realise the outcomes. 8. To improve wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities enabling 0  Economies of scale required to deliver key service and other infrastructure at Taunton in particular are at independence and facilitating social interaction risk with the pattern of development set out in this option. 9. To ensure that new development is supported by essential infrastructure in a 0 timely manner Average score 0

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Option Local Plan Review Objective (ordered as per the Local Plan Issues and Options document) G Rural Areas Lead for Growth 1. To ensure all new development works towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by -1  The response to objective 5 is very negative as increasing levels of development at all rural 2030” target settlements is likely to have an adverse impact on landscape, environmental and historic assets and 2. To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high quality and affordable homes to -1 designations overall. meet the needs of all sections of our communities  Most objectives are negative against option G. Increasing development across rural areas is unlikely 3. To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy ensuring to enable or achieve a positive response to the outcomes sought in most objectives not help to competitiveness across the wider sub-region and attracting the most talented -1 achieve the principles of sustainable development. workers to the District  The option’s relationship with objective 8 is balanced given the challenges of achieving this. Most 4. To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling and -1 strategies will be able to make some positive contribution to the objective, but the breadth of the public transport and to reduce the need to travel objective’s outcomes sought makes it challenging to positively deliver, particularly with multiple 5. To protect and enhance the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing -2 other factors required outside the planning process to realise the outcomes. value of the District’s distinctive landscapes biodiversity and local character.  Increasing housing levels in rural areas could lead to less affordable housing being delivered in 6. To enhance the role of Taunton town centre in the sub-region and to strengthen -1 settlements where sites are smaller, hence the negative score for objective 2. the function, vitality and self-containment of all our towns  The option against objective 7 is neutral, as while growth in rural areas could help to improve the 7. To boost tourism, economic development, agricultural transformation and 0 rural economy, tourism and “agricultural transformation”, these potential opportunities need to be deliver more affordable homes in our rural and coastal communities tempered with the risk of not being able to mitigate adverse impact on the coastline and rural 8. To improve wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities enabling 0 character satisfactorily. There are also challenges in delivering higher numbers of affordable housing independence and facilitating social interaction in some rural areas where size thresholds for the provision of affordable housing will apply to many 9. To ensure that new development is supported by essential infrastructure in a -1 development sites which are smaller in nature in rural areas. timely manner  Economies of scale required to deliver key service and other infrastructure is unlikely to be realised Average score -8 with the pattern of development set out in this option.

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Option Local Plan Review Objective (ordered as per the Local Plan Issues and Options H document) Dispersal 1. To ensure all new development works towards the District’s “carbon neutrality by -1  Most objectives are negative or very negative against option H. Increasing development across rural 2030” target areas is unlikely to enable or achieve a positive response to the outcomes sought in most objectives 2. To provide a sufficient and varied supply of high quality and affordable homes to -1 not help to achieve the principles of sustainable development. meet the needs of all sections of our communities  The response to objective 5 is very negative as increasing levels of development at all rural settlements 3. To create a prosperous, resilient and entrepreneurial economy ensuring is likely to have an adverse impact on landscape, environmental and historic assets and designations competitiveness across the wider sub-region and attracting the most talented -1 overall. workers to the District  The option’s relationship with objective 8 is balanced given the challenges of achieving this. Most 4. To achieve a major change in travel behaviour towards walking, cycling and -2 strategies will be able to make some positive contribution to the objective, but the breadth of the public transport and to reduce the need to travel objective’s outcomes sought makes it challenging to positively deliver, particularly with multiple other 5. To protect and enhance the environmental, historic, economic and wellbeing -2 factors required outside the planning process to realise the outcomes. value of the District’s distinctive landscapes biodiversity and local character.  Increasing housing levels in rural areas could lead to less affordable housing being delivered in 6. To enhance the role of Taunton town centre in the sub-region and to strengthen -2 settlements where sites are smaller, hence the negative score for objective 2. the function, vitality and self-containment of all our towns  The option against objective 7 is neutral, as while growth in rural areas could help to improve the rural 7. To boost tourism, economic development, agricultural transformation and 0 economy, tourism and “agricultural transformation”, these potential opportunities need to be deliver more affordable homes in our rural and coastal communities tempered with the risk of not being able to mitigate adverse impact on the coastline and rural 8. To improve wellbeing, inclusivity and a reduction in inequalities enabling 0 character satisfactorily. There are also challenges in delivering higher numbers of affordable housing independence and facilitating social interaction in some rural areas where size thresholds for the provision of affordable housing will apply to many 9. To ensure that new development is supported by essential infrastructure in a 0 development sites which are smaller in nature in rural areas. timely manner  Economies of scale required to deliver key service and other infrastructure is unlikely to be realised Average score -9 with the pattern of development set out in this option.

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